Read 1 Chronicles 17
Read Isaiah 18
A blessed Epiphany to you! Today (Jan. 6) is Epiphany in the Church year. This day and this Epiphany season is one in which we rejoice that Jesus is the Light to lighten the Gentiles (as Simeon sang). Jesus came for Israel, but also for all people. In Epiphany we see the nations being brought to Jesus as Jesus performs miracles, teaches the light of God's truth, and even peels back a layer of humanity to let his Divine Nature shine through as the season culminates in the Transfiguration.
So, on this day when the Church celebrates the magi coming to visit the Christ-child (Matthew 2), we think about how God relates not just to Israel, but to the nations.
It is interesting that in our reading schedule we happen to be in the midst of God's oracles against the nations as recorded by Isaiah. The point of this section of the book is that all those who have been enemies of Israel (either through warring or through their seductive idolatry) will face the wrath of God.
Truly we have a just God who will not share his glory with idols and will not tolerate his chosen people to be abused. This is why God refers to himself as a "jealous" God (Exodus 20:5). Some might want to judge God and say, "Well, what kind of a God is that?" Well, its the God you've got.
He is a just God. He has commandments. He wants us to walk in his ways. And really, this was not a problem until Adam cast humanity into sin. Before it was a joy and privilege. Now for us sinners, it is a burden - even an impossibility.
That's why we need Christ. For all the curses we hear in Isaiah against the enemies of God, we remember that Jesus came to make enemies into his people. And so it is that even while the nation of Israel didn't flock to the house where the holy family was staying, the magi saw the star, remembered the prophecy from Numbers 24:17, and came to Jerusalem seeking the King of Kings, were directed on to Bethlehem and knelt in adoration before the Savior, fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 60:1-6.
And whether we are Jew or Gentile, it is through Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ, that we receive grace and mercy from God. Certainly we and all nations deserve God's wrath and judgment. But through the cross of Christ, his grace and mercy is poured out upon us. What a privilege and a joy it is to be Chosen of God, to be the recipients of mercy only because of God's goodness. And what a privilege and a joy it is now to walk in God's ways, keep his commands, and give him all the glory and praise that is due the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, our Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier!
Ask Yourself:
How seriously do I take God's commands and strive to walk in his ways?
Where do I go with the guilt?
How can I help the nations to see the light of Christ today? What greater goal can I reach for in helping the nations to see the light of Christ?
Pray:
Lord, when You look on us in love,
At once there falls from God above
A ray of purest pleasure.
Your Word and Spirit, flesh and blood
Refresh our souls with heav'nly food.
You are our dearest treasure!
Let Your mercy
Warm and cheer us!
O draw near us!
For you teach us
God's own love through You has reached us.
(LSB 395:3)
Study with me tomorrow,
Pastor Jon
Soli Deo Gloria!
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
What a Song of Thanks!
Read 1 Chronicles 16
Read Isaiah 17
David appointed that songs of thanksgiving should be sung to the Lord. Why? Well, just look at David's song of thanks in 1 Chronicles 16. David praises him because he is the Creator of all things. David also mentions the Covenant, that is, that God is a relational God who did not destroy his sin-fallen Creation but brings sinners into a loving covenant with himself. He is their God, and they are his people.
David also praises God for the protection that is over his people everyday. And concerning the "salvation" of God? Well, about that, David wants to tell the nations! (v. 23-24).
Indeed, this song of thanks is one that we still sing. We use many of the phrases and the concepts in the song to fuel our hymns. They still apply. They still impact us with meaning. They still proclaim the Good News to us.
Yes, this song of David proclaims the Good News to us because we know that we too are God's covenant people. Who is/are the chosen people? We Christians are! Baptized into the name of God, we are brought into a covenant relationship where he promises to be our God and we his people. It is the new covenant in the blood of Christ that reconciles us to God. Yes, because of Jesus' sacrificial death and resurrection we can boast that we are his people, that we have his Divine help and protection.
Yes, we Christians can sing this song, or portions of it scattered throughout our hymns, in the presence of God. Ok, we don't have an ark of the covenant, but we have Christ's promise that he will be present in Word, water, wine, and wafer of bread. No wonder we rejoice!
Ask Yourself:
Why do I want to praise God today? Or, why don't I?
How can I better appreciate the gracious presence and help of God in the Divine Service?
What will my response be today, knowing that God has done so much for me and all his people?
Pray:
"Save us, O God of our salvation,
and gather and deliver us from among the nations,
that we may give thanks to your holy name,
and glory in your praise.
Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting!" (1 Chronicles 16:35-36)
Study with me tomorrow,
Pastor Jon
Soli Deo Gloria!
Read Isaiah 17
David appointed that songs of thanksgiving should be sung to the Lord. Why? Well, just look at David's song of thanks in 1 Chronicles 16. David praises him because he is the Creator of all things. David also mentions the Covenant, that is, that God is a relational God who did not destroy his sin-fallen Creation but brings sinners into a loving covenant with himself. He is their God, and they are his people.
David also praises God for the protection that is over his people everyday. And concerning the "salvation" of God? Well, about that, David wants to tell the nations! (v. 23-24).
Indeed, this song of thanks is one that we still sing. We use many of the phrases and the concepts in the song to fuel our hymns. They still apply. They still impact us with meaning. They still proclaim the Good News to us.
Yes, this song of David proclaims the Good News to us because we know that we too are God's covenant people. Who is/are the chosen people? We Christians are! Baptized into the name of God, we are brought into a covenant relationship where he promises to be our God and we his people. It is the new covenant in the blood of Christ that reconciles us to God. Yes, because of Jesus' sacrificial death and resurrection we can boast that we are his people, that we have his Divine help and protection.
Yes, we Christians can sing this song, or portions of it scattered throughout our hymns, in the presence of God. Ok, we don't have an ark of the covenant, but we have Christ's promise that he will be present in Word, water, wine, and wafer of bread. No wonder we rejoice!
Ask Yourself:
Why do I want to praise God today? Or, why don't I?
How can I better appreciate the gracious presence and help of God in the Divine Service?
What will my response be today, knowing that God has done so much for me and all his people?
Pray:
"Save us, O God of our salvation,
and gather and deliver us from among the nations,
that we may give thanks to your holy name,
and glory in your praise.
Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting!" (1 Chronicles 16:35-36)
Study with me tomorrow,
Pastor Jon
Soli Deo Gloria!
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
Inquire of the Lord
Read 1 Chronicles 14
Read Isaiah 15
A comment on 1 Chronicles 14 today:
From the Lutheran Study Bible: "The Philistines, disturbed that David is now king over all Israel, attack him twice and are defeated. David inquires of and relies on the Lord for victory. For our plans to have God's blessings, we must call on Him and submit to the judgment of His Word. Yet when we are weak, the Lord Himself will fight for us, especially against sin, death, and the devil" (p. 494).
I thought this was a helpful brief summary that reminds us to inquire on the Lord. One thing we have to remember, though, is that when we pray for wisdom and guidance, what then should we expect to happen? Well, because we are God's children and pray that in Jesus' name (that is, according to God's Will and at his invitation), then we can be assured that God will guide and give us wisdom.
We should not expect, however, that God is necessarily going to speak to us audibly. There are some who have claimed they have heard God speak audibly to them. I won't argue with them. I believe God do that when he chooses. But ordinarily (and this is really our only assurance) God will answer through his the word of Scripture. He can also speak to his people as they give Godly advice. This is how we should expect God to answer today.
How else will I know that God is speaking? My own impulses are unreliable. My thoughts and feelings change constantly. How do I know that some still small voice I hear inside me isn't just me talking? That's why I need the assurance of hearing God speak outside of myself. I can be sure and certain in the pages of Scripture. And regarding the godly advice of others, well, I can use my God given reason and their advice and reach the best conclusion we can reach, and then ask God to bless that decision. We won't always hear God telling us to take this job or that, or move to that place or this one, etc. But we can be sure that God will continue to lead and to guide us.
Yes, Jesus Christ who laid down his life for us and rose for us, promises that God will hear our prayers and he will answer. So, why don't we always go to the Lord in prayer and inquire of him before we start a task?
There's something to think about, and something to seek to improve upon. God will answer! So let us pray!
Ask Yourself:
How often/much do I pray throughout the day?
What can I do to become more disciplined in the difficult (but wonderful!) task of prayer?
What difficult challenge lies before me, reminding me that I need God's wisdom and guidance?
Pray:
Almighty God, our refuge and our help, Fountain of wisdom and Tower of strength, I can do nothing without Your guidance and help. Assist me, I pray You, and direct me by Your divine wisdom and power, that I may accomplish this task and whatever I may undertake to do faithfully and diligently, according to Your will, so that it may be for my good and for the good of others and to the glory of Your holy name. For to You we render glory - Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and always and forever and ever. Amen.
Study with me tomorrow,
Pastor Jon
Soli Deo Gloria!
Read Isaiah 15
A comment on 1 Chronicles 14 today:
From the Lutheran Study Bible: "The Philistines, disturbed that David is now king over all Israel, attack him twice and are defeated. David inquires of and relies on the Lord for victory. For our plans to have God's blessings, we must call on Him and submit to the judgment of His Word. Yet when we are weak, the Lord Himself will fight for us, especially against sin, death, and the devil" (p. 494).
I thought this was a helpful brief summary that reminds us to inquire on the Lord. One thing we have to remember, though, is that when we pray for wisdom and guidance, what then should we expect to happen? Well, because we are God's children and pray that in Jesus' name (that is, according to God's Will and at his invitation), then we can be assured that God will guide and give us wisdom.
We should not expect, however, that God is necessarily going to speak to us audibly. There are some who have claimed they have heard God speak audibly to them. I won't argue with them. I believe God do that when he chooses. But ordinarily (and this is really our only assurance) God will answer through his the word of Scripture. He can also speak to his people as they give Godly advice. This is how we should expect God to answer today.
How else will I know that God is speaking? My own impulses are unreliable. My thoughts and feelings change constantly. How do I know that some still small voice I hear inside me isn't just me talking? That's why I need the assurance of hearing God speak outside of myself. I can be sure and certain in the pages of Scripture. And regarding the godly advice of others, well, I can use my God given reason and their advice and reach the best conclusion we can reach, and then ask God to bless that decision. We won't always hear God telling us to take this job or that, or move to that place or this one, etc. But we can be sure that God will continue to lead and to guide us.
Yes, Jesus Christ who laid down his life for us and rose for us, promises that God will hear our prayers and he will answer. So, why don't we always go to the Lord in prayer and inquire of him before we start a task?
There's something to think about, and something to seek to improve upon. God will answer! So let us pray!
Ask Yourself:
How often/much do I pray throughout the day?
What can I do to become more disciplined in the difficult (but wonderful!) task of prayer?
What difficult challenge lies before me, reminding me that I need God's wisdom and guidance?
Pray:
Almighty God, our refuge and our help, Fountain of wisdom and Tower of strength, I can do nothing without Your guidance and help. Assist me, I pray You, and direct me by Your divine wisdom and power, that I may accomplish this task and whatever I may undertake to do faithfully and diligently, according to Your will, so that it may be for my good and for the good of others and to the glory of Your holy name. For to You we render glory - Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and always and forever and ever. Amen.
Study with me tomorrow,
Pastor Jon
Soli Deo Gloria!
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Blessed New Year!
For your New Year's Day meditation I have posted a hymn below. Today is the 8th day after our Christmas celebration, so in the church we recognize that it is the day that he was circumcised (referred to in the hymn below as his first taste of human woe) and officially named Jesus.
May this hymn bring you peace and joy today. And may our Wondrous Christ be with you this year and always. Blessings!
Study with me Monday,
Pastor Jon
Soli Deo Gloria!
May this hymn bring you peace and joy today. And may our Wondrous Christ be with you this year and always. Blessings!
Jesus! Name of wondrous love!
Name all other names above!
Unto which must every knee
Bow in deep humility.
Jesus! Name of priceless worth
To the fallen sons of earth,
For the promise that it gave—
“Jesus shall His people save.”
Jesus! Name decreed of old,
To the maiden mother told—
Kneeling in her lowly cell—
By the angel Gabriel.
Jesus! Name of mercy mild,
Given to the holy Child,
When the cup of human woe
First He tasted here below.
Jesus! Only name that’s given
Under all the mighty heaven,
Whereby man, to sin enslaved,
Bursts his fetters, and is saved.
Jesus! Name of wondrous love,
Human name of God above!
Pleading only this, we flee,
Helpless, O our God, to Thee.
Study with me Monday,
Pastor Jon
Soli Deo Gloria!
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